Literature of the 1960's

Ref: C2224383

It was not only music which was exciting in the 1960's - literature too was challenging and provocative as writers explored new ideas and forms. Through the study of a variety of 1960's novels, drama and poetry, we will consider how the cultural context of the time is reflected in its literature. Beginning with a brief overview of postwar literature, we will go on to focus on writing of the 1960's, examining how the content and style of the literature both reflect and challenge the nature of the society in which it was written. Through close analysis of specific texts, we will identify and evaluate the extent to which they represent that decade. A reading list will be distributed before the course begins.

Course aim

This course addresses how 1960's literature reflects the cultural and social context of its time. Students will develop skills in literary analysis, evaluating the content and the style of texts.

Do I need any particular skills or experience?

This is a course for anyone who enjoys literature.

By the end of the course I should be able to:

Identify key aspects of the style and content of 1960's literature.

Apply analytical skills and literary terminology to a close study of given texts.

Using a literary framework, identify the various ways in which a writer conveys his or her ideas, and evaluate the success of those methods.

Identify differences and similarities between texts.

Demonstrate a knowledge of critical and literary terminology by using it in class discussion.

How will I be taught?

The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning

You will be expected to read the books on the reading list in order to benefit from the classes.

What kind of feedback can I expect?

A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion

You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor

What else do I need to know?

You will need to bring paper and a pen. You will be informed each session which texts from the list will need to be brought to the next session.

Pre-course work, reading and information sources

A reading list will be available well before the start of the course. This will also explain which texts will be studied in each session.